Crimson Wisps MTG Card


Crimson Wisps - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Number88
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJim Nelson

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables instant card drawing, aiding in swiftly finding important deck components.
  2. Haste provision accelerates creature utility the same turn they’re played.
  3. Instant speed of Crimson Wisps maximizes in-game adaptability and surprise tactics.

Text of card

Target creature becomes red and gains haste until end of turn. Draw a card.

The whispers are incomprehensible, yet cinders always hear a message of urgency.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crimson Wisps offers a quick cycle by allowing you to draw a card, which can be instrumental in filtering through your deck to find key pieces or answers when you need them most.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it can effectively act as a resource accelerator by giving a creature haste. This enables newly played creatures to attack or use tap abilities within the same turn, thus speeding up your gameplay and potential to leverage board position.

Instant Speed: Instant speed spells provide flexibility, and Crimson Wisps is no exception. It allows players to react in real-time to the evolving state of the game, whether that’s enabling surprise blockers, activating abilities in response to an opponent’s actions, or simply drawing a card at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crimson Wisps demands that you use it wisely since it doesn’t require a discard but its one-time draw effect could potentially leave you wanting more sustained card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Limited to red decks, Crimson Wisps can’t be seamlessly integrated into every strategy, ensuring its place only in decks where a single red mana is readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant that provides haste and draws a single card, one red mana might seem costly given the availability of other cards with similar effects that can provide more value for the same or lesser mana investment.


Reasons to Include Crimson Wisps in Your Collection

Versatility: Crimson Wisps is ideal for decks that rely on speed and agility. Providing instant access to draw and the ability to give any creature haste, it can be a game-changer in both aggressive red decks and combo-oriented strategies.

Combo Potential: This spell facilitates combos by enabling creatures to act without summoning sickness. It’s great for decks that aim to win with a combo on the same turn a creature is played.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values quick plays and tempo, Crimson Wisps allows players to keep up the pressure by providing an unexpected burst of speed and immediate utility from their creatures, alongside a fresh draw to maintain card advantage.


How to beat

Crimson Wisps is a card known for its ability to grant a creature haste and assist in cycling through a deck by drawing a card. This instant-speed spell is recognized for its potential in red aggro or combo decks eager to utilize the rapid surge in speed. Skirting challenges posed by Crimson Wisps requires prompt and prudent playstyle adjustments. As with any card that has the capacity to swiftly turn the tide of a match, including instant removal or counter-spells in your deck can checkmate your opponent’s strategy. Utilizing these cards judiciously can suppress their creature’s momentary boost, diminishing its impact on the game.

Additionally, considering cards that restrict drawing or grant you benefits when your opponent draws outside their draw phase can be a pivotal adaptation. These strategic measures allow you to turn the tables on opponents using Crimson Wisps, maintaining control of the game’s pace and limiting their ability to benefit from instant creature enhancement. In essence, to counteract Crimson Wisps, a focus on disruption, timing, and leveraging reactive plays can help assure your dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of MTG doesn’t just enhance your skills, it emboldens your deck with powers like those of Crimson Wisps. This card’s ability to accelerate plays and draw cards offers a tactical advantage in fast-paced red strategies. However, its impact isn’t without its limitations, as discussed in the pros and cons. Whether you’re looking to outpace opponents or find that crucial combo piece, optimizing your collection with versatile spells like Crimson Wisps is key. For more insights on harnessing the full potential of cards that turn the gears of victory, join our community to deepen your knowledge and refine your deck’s strategy.


Cards like Crimson Wisps

Crimson Wisps is a unique spell in MTG that offers both a speed boost and card replacement. Comparable to Expedite, which also grants haste and an additional card draw, Crimson Wisps stands out with its red color identity, aligning perfectly with decks focused on quick, aggressive strategies. Expedite, while similar, is often chosen for its ability to fit in multi-colored decks that require this temporary speeding up.

Another analog is Crimson Wisps is Accelerate, allowing a creature to hit the battlefield running and cycle for a new card. Crimson Wisps takes the lead due to its lower mana cost, ensuring you can play it even when your resources are tight. Conversely, Acrobatic Maneuver is another parallel card that can trigger enter-the-battlefield effects with its blink ability while drawing a card, though it doesn’t offer the haste bonus.

Evaluating these options indicates that Crimson Wisps sits well with players aiming for instantaneous impact, facilitating both rush tactics and maintaining hand equilibrium, an asset that any aggressively tuned deck would welcome.

Expedite - MTG Card versions
Accelerate - MTG Card versions
Acrobatic Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Expedite - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Accelerate - Torment (TOR)
Acrobatic Maneuver - Kaladesh (KLD)

Cards similar to Crimson Wisps by color, type and mana cost

False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Vertigo - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Speed - MTG Card versions
False Orders - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Chaoslace - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Red Elemental Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Tunnel - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Artifact Blast - Antiquities (ATQ)
Active Volcano - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Shock - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Lightning Bolt - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Panic - Ice Age (ICE)
Vertigo - Ice Age (ICE)
Hearth Charm - Visions (VIS)
Pyroblast - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Shower of Sparks - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters (DDL)
Heat Ray - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Overload - Invasion (INV)
March of Reckless Joy - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Burst Lightning - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fever Charm - Onslaught (ONS)
Electrostatic Bolt - Mirrodin (MRD)
Unnatural Speed - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crimson Wisps MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Crimson Wisps and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crimson Wisps has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crimson Wisps card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2008-05-01 An effect that changes a permanent’s colors overwrites all its old colors unless it specifically says “in addition to its other colors.” For example, after Cerulean Wisps resolves, the affected creature will just be blue. It doesn’t matter what colors it used to be (even if, for example, it used to be blue and black).
2008-05-01 Changing a permanent’s color won’t change its text. If you turn Wilt-Leaf Liege blue, it will still affect green creatures and white creatures.
2008-05-01 Colorless is not a color.

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